Okay, as you probably should know by now, nobody on this site owns Harry Potter unless they somehow have the name of Joanne Kathleen Rowling.

"Parseltongue"

"Normal Talk"

Thoughts/emphasis

Enjoy!

The ride on the train for Kiru was extremely long, and very terrifying. She couldn't sleep a wink, and even then, the three others in her compartment were looking at her weirdly. One had flaming red hair, a female, one had a round face and was terrified and always losing his toad, and the third was a blonde who was reading a newspaper upside down. The fourth member of the compartment was a mystery, but the round-faced boy was terrified of the black-clad adult.

"Thanks," she said quietly, and the trio looked at her like she was crazy. "For letting me stay here. I'm Kiru."

"Ginny Weasley," the redhead female introduced. "I'm in Gryffindor, it's my second year."

"Neville Longbottom," the round faced one introduced. "Oi, get back here, Trevor!"

"The spell you need is 'Accio', Neville," the blonde said. "Oh, I'm sorry. I'm Luna. Luna Lovegood, a third year Ravenclaw. Neville's in Gryffindor and his third year, as well. Your father really does love you, by the way. He just left your mother alone to protect her from you-know-who."

"Huh?" Kiru said, and the train jerked to a halt. "We're there already?"

"No," Ginny said frowning, and the train suddenly became very cold. Kiru felt like she wouldn't be happy again, which wasn't a new feeling for her. it had often accompanied her mother's anger issues.

A large hooded figure emerged in the doorway, and began feeding on Kiru. She moaned in pain, her time in Wormtail's clutches almost resurfacing, but her mother's angry screaming at her first potion beat him to the chase. She tried begging, pleading for her mother to stop in perfect Japanese as her mother had drilled into her head, but to no avail.

Suddenly, the black-clad wizard was upright and alert, pointing his wand at the large cloaked figure, just as Kiru's world went black. She could vaguely make out what the others were saying, and was vaguely aware that the thing was gone, whatever it was. She felt a sensation in her ribs that was all too familiar.

"Kiru," an adult male said, jabbing her in the ribs with his foot.

"Daddy?" she whispered groggily, wanting it to be him, for him to finally come rescue her from her mother's evil clutches. That woman was truly evil, and her father was the only one who could free her, she knew.

"Kiru, get up," the male repeated, putting his hands underneath her arms to lift her up. "Longbottom, make sure she eats this – all of it. I don't want to lose my job just because you idiots can't keep a dementor from attacking you. If you need me, I'll be going to fetch one of the prefects."

Kiru heard the door slide open twice, opening her eyes just in time to see the black figure retreating. Her vision was blurry, and she immediately began sobbing relentlessly in despair.

"Hey, it's okay, it's not your fault," Ginny soothed, rubbing Kiru's back. "I've never seen Professor Snape so pissed off like that. Do you know him?"

"Snape?" Kiru asked, confused. She knew her mother always called her a 'useless Snape', but she had no idea what it meant.

"Yeah, our Potions teacher," Neville shuddered. "I swear, if that dementor wasn't evil, then Snape comes pretty close in my book."

"What happened?" Kiru asked as Neville handed her the chocolate. "What the hell is this stuff? It's all sweet – and icky!"

"You've never had chocolate? You don't like it? Seriously?" Ginny asked in awe, Kiru shook her head, nodded, and shrugged.

"Well, I think it was nice what Professor Snape did," Luna spoke. "Besides that, I think that he had a different motive, but I'm not entirely sure. The nargles get really confused around him."

"Huh? Nargles?" Kiru asked between bites, and Luna nodded. Kiru shrugged it off as the chocolate effecting her system, and finished off the bar quickly to keep from having to eat. She lay her head on the window, and returned to the dark waters of slumber.

"She ate it all, Professor," she heard Ginny report, and felt a firm hand on her forehead.

"Good," she heard the male say. "That bitch Sarabella. I swear, one day she's going to regret this."

"You know how Black got out?" Ginny, Neville, and Luna asked in unison.

"I've got a good idea, and I'm fairly sure young Kiru knows every last detail," he said darkly, leaving no room for arguments. "What the hell are you three doing in this car anyways?"

"Well, sir, all the others were full, and well, nobody else would let us in…" Neville finished lamely.

"I stuck with Kiru," Ginny said tripping backwards and landing on top of Neville. "Sorry, Neville."

"I didn't want my things stolen," Luna said mystically, and went back to reading. "If you'd like, I can leave."

"I never thought I'd say this, but don't you dare leave this car. I'm not risking any of you getting the dementor's kiss."

"Oh, then you'd lose your job, right?" Neville asked, and Kiru could feel the tension in the adult by his palm against her forehead.

"In your wildest dreams, Longbottom," the adult spat, and yanked open the door. "Time to get changed. Longbottom, out. Go get changed with Potter or Weasley."

"Yes, sir," the boy squeaked before racing off and the wizard stepped out into the hallway, shutting the door behind him.

"Should we change her clothes for her?" Ginny asked, and Kiru heard the slight whish of cloth, indicating that Luna had shrugged.

"No, I got it," Kiru moaned wearily, but ended up having to have the two help her anyways from exhaustion. Just as she finished, there was a loud crack outside the door, and Kiru jumped, dodging onto the floor.

"It's alright," Luna soothed. "Professor Snape apparated. We must be getting close."

"Look, there it is," Ginny grinned widely as Neville knocked. "Come on in, Neville."

"Just thought you ought to know – oh, who's this?" a female in green robes asked, and Ginny frowned.

"Kiru," Ginny replied. "Leave her alone, she just got attacked by a dementor."

"A first year attacked by a dementor? I'd watch where you lie, Weasley, because I can make your life hell," the girl spat, and Kiru began hissing away angrily in Parseltongue.

"Oh, I'd watch what I was saying if I were you, because it's me that can make your life a living hell. Snakes come and find me, and I can fill your bed with them. Mark my words, if I'm in Slytherin, I'll talk to our leader and make sure you get your badge revoked for that. Because, technically, that can be considered sexual harassment," Kiru ranted angrily, and the four stared at her.

"You stay out of Slytherin, FREAK!" the girl yelled before slapping Kiru harshly. Kiru instantly lashed out right back with a boa constrictor – the same one that Harry had let loose from the zoo, ironically enough.

"Hey, Orochikage, can you scare the shit-bricks out of her for me? I want her shitting bricks in her robes," she grinned as the girl left. "Can you guys promise me you won't tell a word of this to anyone? I'll get expelled, and this is the only home I've got – literally."

"Okay, sure, whatever," the three agreed as the train whistled loudly and the large boa slithered off out of sight.

"Firs' years! Firs' years, this way!" she heard a large voice yell, and Kiru gaped at Hagrid and his massive bulk. Kiru was skittish, and would only go in a boat filled with only girls, much to three of the other girls' eagerness.

She recognized McGonagall easily, and vice versa. They both kept their eyes on the other, even as McGonagall lectured about the four houses. Kiru was skittish, wondering if her godfather was truly here or if it was just a lie that the old woman had made up to get her to come.

"Why do I get the feeling this will end badly?" she whined to the girl next to her, who looked at her like she was crazy. It seemed like all the other students did that, and it wasn't just her – even Luna, Neville, and Ginny had looked at her like she was a freak, though they daren't voice their opinions with a teacher present.

Snape watched and scanned the crowd, seeing his animagus form's former "master" sit down at the Gryffindor table. Crookshanks had found him and was twisting around his ankles. He wrote something down on a piece of paper, and slipped it to the orange tabby. Meet me in the office in the dungeons later with Snuffles. The cat let out a low growl before leaving.

As he ignored most of the sorting, he almost yawned in exhaustion. The search had come up fruitless, and he kept feeling like something vital was missing in this child's story, a piece that he felt he should have placed earlier. Especially since the missing child had been in his compartment on the train. Longbottom had called the girl Kiru, and the name sounded almost familiar to him. He busied himself with trying to figure out the puzzle, since unsolved puzzled bothered him greatly.

"Snape, Kiru!" Minerva called out, and the Great Hall was instantly silent, even Snape was interested now, his drowsiness gone as he straightened up. Could it be – his long-lost daughter through Sarabella was the small undernourished eleven year old on the train?

A small girl stepped forward lightly, her ebony hair falling down her back, almost never cut, but clean as a whistle. Thank goodness she didn't get my oily hair, Snape mused, his eyes clouded over with worry and pride, but his face still an emotionless mask. Several moments passed, before she outright screamed, throwing the hat down, backing away fearfully, tears suddenly flowing down her face.

Snape surged forward, launching himself over the table with his arm to get to his little one, almost causing a large mess in the process. He nimbly caught her as she fell back upon too-big school robes, his hands firm, yet gentle. He didn't want to scare her, but he didn't want to lose her, either. He'd already lost two loved ones – he wasn't going to lose the one that he fathered, not if he could help it.

"The Ocarina is in the box I put with your things. It gives you gifts if you play the right songs. Now, what did the hat do?" he asked quietly and she writhed to face him.

They both gasped, calculating black eyes meeting terrified onyx. She analyzed him, recognizing his black hair, their slight frame, and even the set of their cheeks and the tone of their skins. It all matched. She was his, alright, there was no doubting it now that she was older. As an infant, he had no way of knowing and thought that Sarabella had been lying to try to get something out of him, like she did on occasion when she was bored or needing money for no real reason. But now, he regretted not staying with her to protect her. Using a small amount of legimens, he knew she recognized him from the train.

"Daddy," she gasped, throwing herself onto him. He flinched momentarily, but put his arms around her.

"Meet me in my office later," he murmured gently. "I think it's time we sorted you."

"No!" she panicked as he tried to lead her back to the hat. "No! No! Don't make me go back!"

"Back where?" Snape asked, crouching down to her level.

"The old woman by the old hat," she whispered, and Snape nodded. "She rescued me from Wormtail, the hat – the hat – what did it do?"

"It was trying to sort you," Snape said gently. "See, watch." Snape stretched out his hand, summoned the hat, and plopped it on his head.

Well, well, if it isn't Severus Snape. Did you get Lily like you wanted? Or did you marry Sarabella? I was just on your child.

I know. She's scared of you. Sarabella – she's dead. I was going to marry her this past summer, but Pettigrew killed her and kidnapped Kiru. Sarabella's and my daughter, I mean. Lily got useless Potter. I'm sure you recall the Gaki Potter from two years ago.

Ah, yes, the one I almost put in Slytherin.

I'm glad you didn't. I'd have tried to strangle him within the first week.

You always were one to bear grudges, even against your father.

What did you see in her mind that caused her to lash out like that?

Now, that was most curious. The girl is terrified of a man that is a rat animagus. He's missing his index finger. He apparently tried to rape her, but a large black dog intervened before he could.

I see. Thank you. As for the dog – I'll have to go talk to him personally later. I've got an idea as to who it is.

No problem. Good luck leading the Slytherin House this year – something tells me you'll need it.

"No harm, no foul," Snape said gently as the hat finished its conversation with him. "All it does is look through your memories to sort you."

"What about you?" Kiru asked, and Snape blinked.

"I was sorted when I was your age," he replied as he plopped the hat on her. "Relax – it helps the hat to make idle conversation. If you do that he won't have to dig into your memories to sort you."

Well, well, the Snape girl returns. I apologize for scaring you like that, little one. I didn't realize there were such dark memories in your past.

Why can't you sort me without memories?

Ah, but I can. All you have to do is tell me about yourself. Hmm… you're shy, so that means you can go in Hufflepuff. You are brave and attempted to protect your mother, so you're eligible for Gryffindor. You're smart, and are eligible for Ravenclaw. However, you are also cunning, and are eligible for Slytherin.

What house were my parents in?

Your mother was one of the hardest people I ever had to sort. I spent more than ten minutes on that little hatstaller. You have all of the same qualities that she did, and that is why I'm having a hard time sorting you as well. Would you answer a few questions for me to help speed things along?

I guess, but will I have to leave my dad's side? I just met him, but I already feel safe with him…

Ah, a broken household. Tell me, what happened to cause this?

I don't know. Mom never talked about dad, except that he wouldn't see me, not even when she begged him to take me when I was an infant so she could go to the hospital. She said he took something of mine.

He likely did so to protect it for you for a later date should it need powerful protecting. Ah, but your mother was very cunning. I can tell by your voice, and the thought, her eyes in the memory – she was lying. She was obliviated – someone tampered with her memories. Tell me more about that night.

Well, that was all she said. Whenever I made my own potion for the first time – a really simple one, just for fun – she screamed at me and locked her cauldron away, telling me if I ever did that again without permission that she'd ground me for a year. She said she didn't want me turning into my father. It was the first thing I ever learned about dad… I wanted to know more, but she … she…

Hit you?

Worse. She said if I ever asked about dad again she'd hand me over to the Dark Lord and let him brand me with the Dark Mark, even at age five. I was scared, so I stopped. I saw the Dark Lord only once, and I swore to never obey him, but to tear his organization down from the inside using Parseltongue. That one was when I was seven.

Hm… Very cunning, indeed. Yes, I recall sorting your father. He was one of the easiest people to sort. I think I'll tell you something about his childhood, but this is just between you and me, understand?

Yes, I promise! Anything to get more information about father!

His father was a drunkard. Your father always swore that he would trick his father by switching the alcohol out with water or a potion that would remove an addiction. That one was one of the more funny memories to watch, by far!

Dad was hurt by his dad? Just like mom hurt me?

Well, not necessarily. You want to see something cool?

Wait, how long have I been on you?

Child, it doesn't matter. I already knew what house you would be in as soon as you threw me off of you and had Severus put me on his head for proof that I was harmless.

So, what's so cool?

Hn, an interesting child. Look, do you see what I'm projecting into your mind?

Yes. Who is that? He's dressed so – so - weird!

Your father when he was your age. I'm sure he'd be better at explaining it than I.

But what if father won't like me because of what house I'll be sorted into?

Relax, you're in your father's house through and through. You'll make him proud someday, I know it. Just make sure you don't follow in your mother's footsteps. I recommend getting a hold on that temper, it always was her Achilles heel.

Huh? Oh, oh right. Heeheehee…

Oh dear. Oh dear, dear. Mischevous.

Damn right I am. Mum made me swear to not get caught making peace.

Mischevous.

"Oh, dear," McGonagall whispered. "Not another one. Please don't…anywhere but…"

"SLYTHERIN!" The hat yelled out, and the Slytherin table burst into loud applause, and Severus pulled his little girl into a tight hug. He nudged her forward, and she flinched, looking up at him fearfully.

Hat?

Yes? You're afraid of your own house? Don't worry, your father is the head of Slytherin House, so he'll be able to keep a close eye on you. The Slytherin dormitories are right next to his office should you need him. I'm sure he'll be more than happy to make time for his little girl.

"Thanks, hat," Kiru said as she put it back on the stool. She looked back at her father, pointing at the green one, and he nodded. She flitted over, hesitantly stopping as the others hastily made room for their new house member. She noticed that all the teachers were clapping more than happily, and even her black-clad father was clapping with a smirk on his face – something the others were scared of.

"Bug off," one of the boys jeered, and Kiru looked at him sadly. She saw a blonde move shiftily, and one of the larger boys pushed the small jeering boy down off the bench.

"Sorry about the idiot," the blonde said. "He hasn't quite learned to respect his elders yet. I'm Draco Malfoy, third year. Welcome to Slytherin. Here, have a seat," he said motioning to a seat next to a large boy.

"You don't mind?" Kiru asked, terrified, and Malfoy smiled wider.

"Your father is my favorite teacher," Draco countered. "I see every reason to make friends with you. Besides, it's obvious that you belong here. This is Crabbe, and Goyle. Here, sit by me. I recommend that it's not next to Crabbe – not unless you want to lose a hand during dinner."

"If you're quite done brown-nosing Malfoy!" McGonagall snapped angrily, and Kiru's eyes snapped to the floor immediately as she hastily sat down, terrified of the old woman's wrath. She'd seen what the Transfiguration teacher could do in the basement, and it was terrifying.

"Sorry, Professor!" Malfoy called out, and her fear deepened. Experience had taught her to stay invisible.

"Sorry," she whispered.

"No," he retorted just as quietly as the hat was placed on another first year. "It was my pleasure. I'm glad you're here. I'm sick of having just Potter and Granger – they're Gryffindor brats in my year, I'll show you them later – being a teacher's favorite."

"So, what's it like? Where's dad's office?" Kiru asked as the hat called out another house and the Hufflepuffs burst into applause.

"Dungeons," Malfoy answered, and was shocked when Kiru shuddered. "What's wrong?"

"I don't like dungeons," Kiru whined. "I was locked in one as a kid by my mom. She used to be proud of me, until I made my first potion on accident when I was going to make soup. After that she hated me – I guess I reminded her too much of dad."

"Oh, they separated to keep each other safe," Malfoy realized. "No problem. Hey, have you heard about Sirius Black?"

"Yeah," she said, turning to face him. "But it's Pettigrew I'm worried about. Mom said that it was Pettigrew that sold out the Potters, not Black. I think he was framed by Pettigrew and that Pettigrew's an illegal animagus."

"Huh, that's an interesting theory," Malfoy said, "Impressive. I'm surprised you're not in Ravenclaw."

"The hat said it wanted to put me in all the houses, just like my mom," Kiru explained.

"So that's why you took twenty minutes to sort! Well, that and you freaked out," Malfoy explained.

"Twenty minutes!" Kiru shrieked as the Gryffindors burst into applause.

"Relax, it's not unheard of," Malfoy soothed. "We call them 'Hatstallers'. You probably got all that from your mom. What was the deciding factor?"

"I threw him on the ground and got dad to put it on before I would put it back on," she said like it was obvious.

"Yeah, that is cunning, and very cautious, too," Malfoy conceded. "No wonder. The hat probably recognized Professor Snape as your dad and put you in his house to protect you."

"Yeah…" Kiru said sadly and lay her arms on the table and her head on her arms. She felt like crying and laughing at the same time. Her father was here, he cared about her, he wanted her, and best of all, he was Potions Master! But why had he left her mom?

"First years, follow me!" the female Slytherin snapped. "Oh, it's you. What do you want now, freak? Just cause your daddy's head of the house, doesn't mean you can break the rules. If anything, it means you have to be extra strict and set the example. Now, why don't you lead the way?"

"It's her first time here, leave her alone!" Malfoy snapped, more than angry at the girl. "What did she do to you anyways? If you ask me, I'd say she's harmless!"

"Harmless, my ass, Malfoy," the girl snapped. "That bitch is a Parselmouth!"

"That's not my fault! My mom was, too!" Kiru objected, and the prefect glared, giving a fake smile.

"Tell me, do you want me to get you expelled for terroristic threatening? One wrong word, and I will do anything in my power to get you expelled," she sneered in Kiru's ear. Kiru finally snapped, pushing her. "You should do the world a favor and drop dead!"

"Fine! Since everyone here but Draco and my dad seem to think I should die, maybe I will just go join Moaning Myrtle!" she screamed as she raced towards the bathrooms. She'd heard the stories about Moaning Myrtle from Ginny on the train, and knew that Myrtle was probably the best option right now. That, and it was the last place they'd look for her since Slytherins were known to be cunning enough to hide. However, by hiding where she said, she was throwing them off, since they'd be looking everywhere except Myrtle's bathroom.

As soon as she got there, she ran straight to the final stall, locked herself in, and began bawling her eyes out profusely. Nobody would ever find her here if she drowned herself, right? Would her father even care? Would Ginny, Neville, or Luna ever talk to her again since she was in Slytherin? Would Draco ever wonder where she went? A number of other questions were plaguing Kiru at this point, all of which involving why everyone hated her when her mother was so loved at Hogwarts. After a few hours, the toilet water bubbled up, and out came a ghost of a fifth year girl.

"Oh, what do you want?" the girl spat.

"I just want to fit in!" Kiru sobbed, and the girl's demeanor changed dramatically.

"Ooh, is it a boy or girl that's teasing you?" Myrtle crooned.

"Both! Everybody but Draco and my dad hate me!" Kiru sobbed, and she could feel the ghost's demeanor changing from hard and uncaring to soft and understanding.

"I died here, you know," the ghost said, "In this very stall. A giant snake killed me when I looked at its eyes. Harry Potter killed the snake last year. The lair was right in that sink – but only a Parselmouth can get to it."

"How ironic – my mom's a descendant of Slytherin," Kiru sniffed. Suddenly, a snake slithered into the bathroom, long and black – a black Mamba.

"Oh, a snake magnet," Myrtle jeered. "No wonder everyone hates you. Oh, but that's a much bigger excuse than mine. Everyone hated me because of my glasses. That was all. The teachers didn't even bother to come looking for me until it was too late and one of the other girls found me the next day. They didn't even hold a funeral in the castle, they just held one for my parents and the Professors during the summer." Kiru picked up the snake as Myrtle let out a loud wail and threw herself into the toilet with a large amount of regurgitation of water.

"I don't understand why everyone hates me. I try to be nice, I try to make friends, and I end up making only one! Ginny, Neville, and Luna probably hate me because they hate my dad, and I'm a Slytherin descendant, and that prefect girl in our house was threatening to expel me! I wish you could stay as my familiar – that would scare her into leaving me alone. All I did was stick up for Ginny when the girl threatened to get her expelled for not doing her homework one time, and then the girl hit me! So then when I tell her off – accidentally in Parseltongue – she thinks I'm a freak and tells me that if I was smart I'd not land in Slytherin! I hate this place already! I want out – this place just makes me feel like I should drop dead, like that would be doing the world a favor! The only ones I'd have to write a goodbye note for would be for dad and Draco, and even then, I just barely met them during the sorting! They probably wouldn't even care if I was dead or alive!" Kiru sobbed to the snake, relishing the feel of its jaw on her cheek. It slithered out, and she almost followed it, until she saw what was happening. She almost screamed at what she saw: The snake was transforming.

Yes, Snape's a dad. One night fling and all that when he was trying to get over Lily - well, that and an excuse you'll see in a few chapters or in the next story.